Dental anesthetic buffer system

Abstract

A dental anesthetic buffer system has a carpule having a first end and a second end, a capsule at least partially disposed within the carpule proximate the first end so as to fluidly seal the first end, and a membrane disposed proximate the second end so as to fluidly seal the second end. A liquid anesthetic is contained within the carpule between the first end and the second end. A liquid buffer is contained within the capsule. An activator is disposed proximate the buffer and extends from the carpule first end. The activator is manually moved from a first position to a second position so as to release the buffer from the capsule and combine the buffer with the anesthetic.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dental anesthetic buffering method comprising:
 providing a carpule having a sealed first end and an open second end; 
 disposing an anesthetic within the carpule; 
 sealing the open second end with a capsule; 
 sealing a buffer within the capsule; and 
 activating the capsule so as release the buffer into the anesthetic prior to insertion into a syringe. 
 
     
     
       2. The dental anesthetic buffering method according to  claim 1  wherein sealing the buffer within the capsule comprises disposing an activator at least partially within the capsule. 
     
     
       3. The dental anesthetic buffering method according to  claim 2  wherein activating the capsule comprises advancing the activator within the capsule. 
     
     
       4. The dental anesthetic buffering method according to  claim 3  wherein advancing the activator within the capsule comprises:
 forcing a plunger into the capsule; and 
 breaking a bottom portion of the capsule with a spear tip end of the plunger so that the buffer flows from the capsule bottom portion into the anesthetic. 
 
     
     
       5. The dental anesthetic buffering method according to  claim 2  wherein activating the capsule comprises at least partially retracting the activator from the capsule. 
     
     
       6. The dental anesthetic buffering method according to  claim 5  wherein at least partially retracting the activator from the capsule comprises rotating a knob portion of the activator from a first position blocking a slotted stopper to a second position unblocking the slotted stopper. 
     
     
       7. The dental anesthetic buffering method according to  claim 6  wherein at least partially retracting the activator from the capsule comprises at least partially pulling the knob from the capsule so as to slidably move the slotted stopper within the capsule so that buffer flows from the capsule through the slotted stopper and into the anesthetic.